The Press., 1887-02-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.
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WhAnLhkton Os C.s Feb. q, 1881. The weeks doings in congress have been varied and interesting. There have been important debates on the subject of coast defenses, ships, Notifications and oups that cannot be made in n day-coneree- sional funeral abuses have been attack, q aud defended-dry appropriation bills are always on the calendars of both branches of congress -and the all important ques- ton of "What to do with the treasury surplus" has not been neglected.
 There was talk in the senate a few days ago during which democratic pre-. lenses of economy" were exposed. and the alleged extravagance of the senate dis proved. The house loudly lauds itself these days for economy. The subject of the coast survey was up, and the house WIS accused of an attempt to break up this work by crippling it with an insufficient appropriation.
 Senator Allison confessed that he had been tempted many times since the demo. cratic administration came into power 10 let the house have chance of experiment.. ing on its economy. The house made in. adequate appropriations merely to be cred ited with economy, knowing full we'll that the senate would increase them SO as to meet the necessary expense involved. Mir. Allison explained by a long list of figures that the present administration was no more economical than the former, and that the senate had not, in former yesrs, 3D. propriated more than was necessary for the running expenses of the government. | Senator Hawley, of Conn, expressed great disappointment that tue superintend- ent of the coast survey, for the first time in it's history, was not 8 gentleman of high scientific attainments; in fact, was not scientist at all. It was most e8traordI- nary departure from the uniform practice, and was g great administrative mIstske The office, with $6, 900 salary, is filled at present by a $1 500 treasury clerk.
 The blll to prevent the appointment fl congressional funerals at public expense has been mp in the house. Represeutatiy @ Hammond, of Georgia, thought it best to leave the old custom undisturbed. He did not believe the newspaper talk about improper conduct by funeral committees. He had never attended one, but he knew gentlemen who had, gentlemen of high tone, and incapable of misconduct on such occasions. 2
 Congressman Oates, of Alabama, criti. cised the practice severely, declaring that it was not a mark of respect or of sincere sorrow. But for his respect for the senate and house, he could mention some cases of misconduct on the part of members ot congress while accompanying the remaiDt of deceased colleague to its place oi burial, which would shock the whol, country. ...
 Mir. Allen, of Miss, who is nothing il not humorous, said he had submitted som, sensible remarks on this subject last ses sion. These remarks had taken deeE hold on the country, and had so impressed hi fo Nhok hal ag him to the tiftieth congress without oppo sition. GAS soon as reached home," ad ded he, Ian old friend said "John, yor were right about congressional funerals Tell congress 1t need not bury you yoI have plenty of friends here who will takt pleasure in doing it." ....
 It is useless to prophecy anything abou the interstate commerce bill, for befor, this can reach you, you will know whethe the president has signed or vetoed it. Sat urday evening is the limit of the time tha he can legally act upon it. He has no yet taken up the so-called "dependen pension" bill, which provides for needy veterans and dependent parents of deceas ed soldiers. He is receiving, however, great niany protests against some of tho principles involved in this measure.
 People are wondering what has becom, of the Blair educational bill. It is now \ the mercy of the house committee onrules which is composed of three democrats an, two republicans-Messrs. Reed, Hiscock r Carlisle, Morrison, and Randall. Thes gentlemen have the right to report 1t bacl to the house for action at any time, or t, strangle it. The republicans of the hous are almost unanimously in favor of th bill, but the democrats are divided. It unnecessary to say the people are watching both, for the measure has a strong hol, upon them. Some have even predicie, that it will be very difficult for lswmake who votes against the Blair bill ever to b elected president or reelected to congress